Part 1 (2/2)

There was a silence that lasted for several seconds.

'No, it isn't as simple as that,' went on Biggles. 'Von Stalhein is no fool. He's played in some queer games, with some queer people, as we know only too well; but we should have a job to pin any specific crime on him.'

'What are you going to do about him, then?' inquired Ginger. 'Hand him over to M.I.5?'

'Our proper course would be to tip them off that he's here,' answered Biggles. 'But I must confess to some curiosity about the man. For instance, I'd like to see his pa.s.sport, to find out how he got into the country.' Biggles tapped another cigarette thoughtfully. 'At this juncture I feel inclined to compromise. I mean, I'll try to get a line on what he's doing before I put the matter on official record.'

'Even before you tell the Air Commodore?' queried Algy.

'Yes. Once the Air Commodore knows about this he could act only through official channels, and that would cramp our actions.'

'Why not let one of us go down and keep an eye on him?' suggested Ginger.

Biggles shook his head. 'No use. He knows us all by sight. One glimpse of us and he'd be gone. Besides, that sort of job isn't really up our street. I'll have a word with Inspector Gaskin, of C Department. He has fellows who are experts at shadowing. Being unknown to von Stalhein it wouldn't matter if he saw them.'

Biggles reached for the intercom telephone and called the department to which he had referred. Presently he was speaking to the head of it. 'Can you spare me five minutes?' he inquired. 'Thanks, Inspector.' He replaced the receiver. 'He's coming up,' he told the others.

Presently the powerfully-built detective came in. 'What's worrying you?'

he asked Biggles, as he took a seat and began filling his pipe.

Biggles explained the position. He described von Stalhein and ran briefly over his record.

'What do you want me to do?' asked the inspector, thumbing the tobacco into his pipe.

'I want to find out what von Stalhein is doing in England,' answered Biggles. 'He knows us all by sight, so we daren't go near him. For a start, I'd like to know how long he's been here, and how long he intends to stay. It would also be interesting to know how he got into the country a” whether he flew in or came in by surface transport. He may not be using his own name. The reception people at the hotel must have seen his pa.s.sport. We might wonder how he managed to get one, and from what country. You might find out where he's spending his time, if he's alone or with friends a” and all that sort of thing. In short, any information about him would be useful. I've helped you once or twice. This is where you can return the compliment.'

'Shouldn't be any difficulty about that,' stated the inspector. 'Give me twenty-four hours.

That should be long enough. I'll come round about this time tomorrow and tell you what I know.'

'Thanks a lot, Inspector,' replied Biggles. 'We'll be here.'

The detective got up. 'If that's all, I'll get back. I've plenty on my plate to keep me busy.

Be seeing you.' He went out.

'That's capital,' a.s.serted Biggles. 'All we have to do is sit back and wait for tomorrow.'

The inspector was as good as his word. Shortly after six o'clock when he walked into the Air Police office, notebook in hand, everyone was waiting, curious to hear the news.

'I've had a look at your man,' announced the inspector casually, turning over some pages of his notebook and putting it on the table where he could refer to it easily. Did you say he's a German?'

Biggles answered: 'He was.'

'Well, he isn't now.'

'I can't say that surprises me.'

'No, but I'll bet you'll be surprised when I tell you what he is.' 'A Pole?'

'No.'

'Austrian?'

'No.'

'Russian?'

'No.'

'Give it up.'

'He's either an American citizen, born in New York, or a Czech, born in Prague.'

Biggles' eyes opened wide. 'There's a lot of difference. How did you work it out?'

'He's got two pa.s.sports, so that he can be an American or a Czech, as it suits him. At the moment he's an American.'

'What name is he using?'

'Stalek, in each case. Jan Stalek. In America he would, no doubt, say he was of Dutch descent.'

'From what you tell me, I a.s.sume you've been in his room.' 'I had a look round.'

'How long has he been here?'

'Four months.'

'Four months!' Biggles looked amazed. 'By thunder! I wouldn't have guessed that, either.

Has he been in London all the time?'

'No. He made a trip to Paris. He first came to London from New York, via Southampton.

A month ago he went to Paris by boat and train. He came back the same way after three days.'

'What's he doing?'

'According to his papers he's a salesman for an American firm of general merchants.'

'If he's been here for four months he must have some money.' 'He came armed with plenty of dollars. Useful things nowadays a” dollars. They'll take you almost anywhere.'

'What on earth could he have been doing for four months?'

<script>